Workshop introduces use of EMDR as treatment to help veterans with PTSD

Friday, May 10, 2013

A worksop to introduce a treatment to ease the return of veterans with PTSD to their communities will be held on Monday, May 20 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Charleston County School District Headquarters, 75 Calhoun St. The speaker will be E.C. Hurley, PhD, LMFT/Retired Army Colonel.

This workshop is designed to assist participants in gaining a better understanding of what it is like to go off to war and return home, the growing need for timely, effective treatment in our communities, the efficacy of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) as a treatment modality, and how local mental health providers can help military personnel, veterans and their families.

Those who should attend are anyone interested in understanding and/or working with active military and veterans and their families affected by the trauma of war. Please note that videos will be shown that may have some disturbing content.

Statistics to note: 1,478,370 Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation / Operation Iraqi Freedom / Operation New Dawn veterans have left active duty through Feb. 29, 2012 - These veterans will return to their home communities, many as parents suffering with PTSD. Their children will be in classrooms. Healing the trauma now will interrupt the cycle of voilence which otherwise will perpetuate throughout communities.

EMDR is a model of psychotherapy effective in the treatment of distressing life events including combat trauma. It is recognized by the VA/Dept of Defense Clinical Practice Guidelines and the Army’s Office of the Surgeon General as being effective in the treatment of PTSD. Mental health providers in many communities have a growing interest in the needs of veterans as well as learning more about evidence-based treatments such as EMDR.

The speaker, Dr. E. C. Hurley, Ph.D, is the senior EMDR trainer for the U.S. Army medical command (AMEDD). He served a total of 33 years of military service both active duty and reserve. He is the founder and director of Soldier Center (www.Soldier-Center.com) a private practice center which provides treatment to active duty soldiers serving Ft Campbell, Kent., as well as veterans who travel from across the country seeking treatment.

As a retired Army colonel, Dr. Hurley recognizes the need for a community wide program in support of those who have honorably served our nation. He believes citizens need to know about existing resources in their community, the needs of veterans and how they might provide needed support. He is

also an LMFT in Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia and has more than 30 years experience in providing individual, marital and family therapy. Hurley specializes in working with military personnel and their families. He has served in the U.S. military in Korea, Germany, Southwest Asia (Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq), and numerous assignments within the United States. His military awards include the Bronze Star, the Legion of Merit and the Air Assault badge.

The fee is $20 and must be postmarked by May 13; $30 if it is postmarked after May 13 or onsite; A full refund may be granted if notice is received 48 hours before the event. Send notice to bmelton@homesc.com; checks to be made payable to “Counseling

Associates”; Tax ID #247980827 This event is free to Charleston, Berkeley and

Dorchester County School District and Communities in Schools employees. It is also free to graduate students and retirees.

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